PENSIONS RATES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 8, 4 October 1917, Page 6

PENSIONS RATES

DEMAND FOR INCREASE TO CHILDREN

A CRITICAL SITUATION

Tho Prime Minister told the House of Representatives Inst night that the Government wished to reconsider some points in tiie schedules of tho War Pensions Act. The most important point to come up for consideration in connection with the schedules is the proposal to increase the pensions to children from 7s. (id. to 10s. each. It is understood that the Government think that they have already gone as far as it is safo to go in the mutter of concessions in the Pensions Bill, 'and that any further increases must be resisted. The proposed increase in the' children's pension would probably involve an additional expenditure of something like olSOO.OOl) next year, and the I'inanc Minister estimates .i loss of about ,£IOO,OOO owing to a probable decrease in Customs revenue combined with the operations of the six o'clock closing legislation. If the rate of pensions to children is to be increased to tho amount demanded by a section of the House further taxation would have to be imposed. The Government appears to be nf opinion that a serious position lias now been reached, and unless members modify their demands a crisis may be precipitated. There is undoubtedly a strong feeling in. the House in favour of malting the children's pensions ten shillings, and if members endeavour to'force the hands of the Governraeut important things may happen. '